Pinch Clip Garment Hanger

ABSTRACT

A pinch clip garment hanger includes a cross member, a hook member, and at least one pinch clip member. The pinch clip member has a fixed jaw member integrally molded to the cross member, a moveable jaw member pivotally secured to the fixed jaw member, and a biasing spring that holds the jaw members together. The fixed jaw member has a first surface facing the moveable jaw member, and the moveable jaw member has a second surface facing the fixed jaw member. The first and second surfaces are pressed together by the biasing spring to hold the garment that is positioned between the fixed and moveable jaw members.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.60/596,608, filed Oct. 5, 2005, entitled “Pinch Clip Garment Hanger,”the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

Technical Field

This disclosure relates to a hanger, and more particular to a pinch clipgarment hanger.

BACKGROUND

Numerous types of hangers have been used to hang garments, such asskirts, slacks and pants. Generally, many of these hangers use clips tohold the garment on the hanger. For example, some conventional hangerassemblies utilize an elongated crossbar having clip members integrallyformed with the crossbar. These clip members include cooperating jawmembers and an intermediate hinge member that connects the clip members,as well as a spring that biases the jaw members against each other.

A common failing of conventional pinch clip designs is the inability toadequately grip a garment. In addition, garments often fall from thehanger when pinch clips touch hangers or objects adjacent to the hanger,thereby causing the garment to be released from the clip.

The foregoing disclosure addresses these issues, as well as others.

Summary

A pinch clip garment hanger includes a cross member, a hook member, andat least one pinch clip member. The cross member, the hook member, andthe clip member can be made of plastic, metal, or other materials thatare suitable for garment hangers. The pinch clip member has a fixed jawmember integrally molded to the cross member, a moveable jaw memberpivotally secured to the fixed jaw member, and a biasing spring thatholds the jaw members together. The fixed jaw member has a first surfacefacing the moveable jaw member, and the moveable jaw member has a secondsurface facing the fixed jaw member. The first and second surfaces arepressed together by the biasing spring to hold the garment that ispositioned between the fixed and moveable jaw members.

According to one embodiment, at least one surface of the first andsecond surfaces is a curved surface. The curved surface can be in theshape of concave or convex. The curved surface can comprise more thanone concave or convex shapes. The other surface of the first and secondsurfaces can be a curve that complements with the shape of the at leastone surface of the first and second surfaces, so that the garment can behung in between the two surfaces by friction. In a further embodiment ofthe invention, at least one surface of the first and second surfaces isattached by a friction-enhancing pad or has a set of teeth.

In another embodiment, one of the first and second surfaces has a firstset of teeth, each first set tooth having a triangular profile. Eachfirst set tooth is separated from the adjacent tooth by a toothlessportion. In one embodiment, the leading edges of the first set of teethare collectively in tapered relation from top to bottom. The othersurface of the first and second surfaces has a second set of teeth. Thefirst and second set of teeth mesh such that the teeth of the first setintegrate with the depressions between the teeth of the second set. Inone embodiment, the second set teeth has a concave corrugated zigzagprofile

In a further embodiment, when lying horizontally, the garment hanger isdesigned in such a manner that the pivot post section of the garmenthanger possesses the biggest height than other portions of the clipper.An advantage of such design is that, when two hangers are held next toeach other, the upper ends of the clippers will not push against eachother so as to cause the jaws to open, inadvertently releasing thegarment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the principles disclosed herein,and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the followingdescriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary hanger in accordance withthe present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a rearward elevational view of the pinch clip garment hangerof FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of an exemplary pinch clip of the hanger of FIG.1;

FIGS. 4A-C are side views of other embodiments of a pinch clip inaccordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a rearward elevational view of a fixed jaw member formedintegrally with a cross bar of a hanger in accordance with the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 6 is a forward elevational view of the fixed jaw member of FIG. 5in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a rearward elevational view of a moveable jaw member inaccordance with the present disclosure; and

FIG. 8 is a forward elevational view of the moveable jaw member of FIG.7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, illustrated is a perspective view of a hangeraccording to the present disclosure, generally designated by referencenumeral 100. Garment hanger 100 is capable of holding pants, skirts,shorts, and other garments. Garment hanger 100 includes a cross member10, and a hook member 12 of conventional configuration for hanging on arail. Hook member 12 is coupled to cross member 10 by collar forreceiving hook 14 and is supported by collar 16. As shown, hook member12 is metal, but in other configurations may be plastic, as part of thecross member 10 molding. Cross member 10 may be of I-beam constructionor any such similar structure providing rigidity. Cross member 10 may bemade using vacuum molding or injection molding techniques and may bemade of translucent or colored plastic material. As shown, pinch clips20 are disposed at opposing terminal ends of cross member 10.Alternatively or in addition, pinch clips 20 may be positioned onsliders and positioned along cross member 10.

FIG. 2 illustrates a rearward elevational view of pinch clip garmenthanger in accordance with the present disclosure. Garment hanger 100includes fixed jaws 24 integrally molded to the ends of cross member 10.Hanger 100 also includes biasing springs 22 secured to the fixed jawmembers.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a pinch clip 20. Eachpinch clip 20 includes a fixed jaw member 24 integrally molded to thecross member 10, and a moveable jaw member 26 pivotally secured to thefixed jaw member with biasing spring member 22. Fixed jaw member 24includes a first set of teeth 40, a first arm 28, a pivot post 32, andretaining nodules 36. Moveable jaw member 26 includes a second set ofteeth 42, a socket 34, a second arm 30, and a retaining nodule 37.

The first set of teeth 40 has a concave corrugated zigzag profile. Theexemplary teeth are small in relation to the teeth of the second set 42,providing desired friction for maintaining grip of a garment. The secondset of teeth 42 generally comprise large teeth with triangular profiles,with each tooth being separated from the adjacent tooth by a toothlessportion 43. As shown in FIG. 3, the profile of the second set of teethfrom top to bottom is progressively diminishing, thereby providing atapered tooth profile from top to bottom. Also, the leading edges of thefirst set of teeth 40 mesh such that the teeth of the first setintegrate with some of the depressions between the teeth of the secondset 42. The outer teeth of the second set 42 overlap the outer teeth ofthe first set 40. Note that the combination of the first set of teeth 40with the second set of teeth 42 in the clip provides desired friction togrip garments of various materials and varying thicknesses.

Although in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the first set of teeth 40are small and the second set of teeth 42 are bigger, their respectivesize can be exchanged. In other embodiments, the second set of teeth 42is small while the first set of teeth 40 are bigger. In a furtherembodiment, both of the first and second sets of teeth 40 and 42 aresmall. One advantage of using smaller teeth is that they are less likelyto leave notable marks on the garment even after long time of use.

Moveable jaw member 26 is pivotally secured to the fixed jaw memberusing biasing spring member 22. Biasing spring member 22 keeps the jawtogether, ensuring coupling of the moveable jaw member and the fixed jawmember 24. The biasing spring has a first leg end 39 and a second legend 41, configured to secure the biasing spring member to the respectivejaw member. Retaining nodules 36 and 37 prevent biasing spring member 22from releasing. However, the biasing spring member 22 is releasable witha suitable tool, such as a pry bar or a screwdriver. Retaining nodules36 or 37 may also be other means that prevent the biasing spring 22 fromreleasing, such as indentations, notches, slots, cavities and the like.As shown in FIG. 3, pivot post 32 is integrally molded with the fixedjaw member 24. Socket 34 is integrally molded with moveable jaw member26. Pivot post 32 fits into socket 34, such that a fulcrum is providedfor pivotally securing the movable jaw member 26 to the fixed jaw member24. The first arm 28 is integrally molded with cross member 10 and fixedjaw member 24. The second arm 30 is integrally molded with moveable jawmember 26. In operation, the user of the hanger 100 compressiblysqueezes the second arm 30 toward the first arm 28, such that whenreleased, the biasing spring member 22 returns the first set of teeth 40proximate to the second set of teeth 42 as possible.

Turning now to FIG. 4A, which illustrates a side view of anotherembodiment, an exemplary clip includes a concave fixed jaw member 48, amoveable jaw member 26 as shown in FIG. 3, and a biasing spring member22 as shown in FIG. 3. Concave fixed jaw member 48 may include afriction pad 46. In this embodiment, the inner surface of the concavefixed jaw member 48 is profiled as a concave curve, providing sufficientfriction to hold a garment. Additional friction may be provided byhaving a friction pad 46 attached to the inner concave surface, oralternatively, having a scored pattern in the concave fixed jaw member48 (not shown). As shown, the topmost and bottommost teeth of the secondset of teeth 42 overlap the termination of the concave curve and themiddle teeth interact with the surface of the concave curve, in order tohold a garment. It is to be noted that the provision of the friction pad46 is only optional. If the surface of the jaw member 48 is formed to beable to provide sufficient friction, the friction pad 46 can bedispensed. Alternatively, the friction pad 46 can be replaced with smallteeth like the first set of teeth 40 shown in FIG. 3.

It is further to be noted that although in FIG. 4A, the fixed jaw member48 is shown as concave and the moveable jaw member is shown with teeth,the two members can also be designed such that the fixed jaw member hasteeth thereon and the moveable jaw member is concave. In this case, themoveable jaw member can have the friction pad 46 or small teeth formedthereon.

Referring to FIG. 4B, the fixed jaw member has a concave profile 50 band the moveable jaw member has a convex profile 52 b which matches withthe concave profile of the fixed jaw member. As an alternative, aconcave profile can be formed in the moveable jaw member and a convexprofile in the fixed jaw member. As a preferred (but not required)feature, one or both of the jaw members may have a friction pad or smallteeth formed thereon.

Although in the embodiment show in FIG. 4B, the concave and convexprofiles of the two jaw members have only one simple curve, the profilescan have two, three or more continuous curves (50 c and 52 c) as shownin FIG. 4C. As in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4B, one or both of thejaw members may have a friction pad or small teeth formed thereon, butthe provision of this friction pad or small teeth is only optional, notrequired.

It should be noted that the upper portion of the second arm 30 shown inthe above embodiments is tapered toward the first arm such that when twohangers are held next to each other, the upper ends of the second arm 30will not push against each other so as to cause the jaws to open,inadvertently releasing the garment.

However, it is to be noted that the tapering configuration in the aboveembodiments is only one exemplary structure used to achieve theobjective that when two hangers are held next to and pushed against eachother their jaws will not open. Generally speaking, this objective canbe achieved as long as the overall structure of the pinch clip 20 isformed such as the pinch clip 20 has a width at the pivot post 32 (i.e.along line “a” as shown in FIG. 4A) that is either equal to or greaterthan the width of the arm portion of the pinch clip (i.e. along line “b”as shown in FIG. 4A).

FIG. 5 is a rearward elevational view of a fixed jaw member 24 formedintegrally with a cross member 10 of garment hanger 100. The back of thefixed jaw member 24 in this embodiment is substantially flat to providea profile that doesn't snag or catch on adjacent garments.

FIG. 6 is a forward elevational view of the fixed jaw member 24 of FIG.5. Fixed jaw member 24 is shown in this figure to include first set ofteeth 40. First set of teeth 40 has a concave corrugated zigzag profile,with the leading edges of the teeth extending laterally from side toside.

FIG. 7 is a rearward elevational view the moveable jaw member 26. Themoveable jaw member 26 in this figure includes the second set of teeth42. Each second set tooth has a triangular profile, extending from sideto side, where each second set tooth is separated from the adjacenttooth by a toothless portion 44. Note that in this embodiment, theleading edges of the first set of teeth are collectively in taperedrelation from top to bottom. Also note that the second set of teeth 42may be located on one of the fixed and moveable jaw members. The firstand second set of teeth mesh such that the teeth of the first setintegrate with the depressions between the teeth of the second set.

In some embodiments, each second set tooth may be of varying profiles,including rounded teeth, square teeth, oblong teeth, pyramidal andhemispherical rows of teeth, and the like.

FIG. 8 is a forward elevational view of the moveable jaw member 26 ofFIG. 7. The back of the moveable jaw member 26 in this embodiment issubstantially flat to provide a profile that doesn't snag or catch onadjacent garments.

While various embodiments of a garment hanger according to theprinciples disclosed herein have been described above, it should beunderstood that they have been presented by way of example only, and notlimitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the invention(s) should notbe limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, butshould be defined only in accordance with any claims and theirequivalents issuing from this disclosure. Furthermore, the aboveadvantages and features are provided in described embodiments, but shallnot limit the application of such issued claims to processes andstructures accomplishing any or all of the above advantages.

Additionally, the section headings herein are provided for consistencywith the suggestions under 37 CFR 1.77 or otherwise to provideorganizational cues. These headings shall not limit or characterize theinvention(s) set out in any claims that may issue from this disclosure.Specifically and by way of example, although the headings refer to a“Technical Field,” such claims should not be limited by the languagechosen under this heading to describe the so-called technical field.Further, a description of a technology in the “Background” is not to beconstrued as an admission that technology is prior art to anyinvention(s) in this disclosure. Neither is the “Summary” to beconsidered as a characterization of the invention(s) set forth in issuedclaims. Furthermore, any reference in this disclosure to “invention” inthe singular should not be used to argue that there is only a singlepoint of novelty in this disclosure. Multiple inventions may be setforth according to the limitations of the multiple claims issuing fromthis disclosure, and such claims accordingly define the invention(s),and their equivalents, that are protected thereby. In all instances, thescope of such claims shall be considered on their own merits in light ofthis disclosure, but should not be constrained by the headings set forthherein.

1. A pinch clip garment hanger comprising: a cross member; a hook memberconnected to a center portion of the cross member and extending upwardlytherefrom; and a first pinch clip member comprising: a fixed jaw memberintegrally molded to the cross member; a moveable jaw member pivotallycoupled to the fixed jaw member; and a biasing spring having: a firstleg end and a second leg end, the first leg end compressibly coupled tothe fixed jaw member, the second leg end compressibly coupled to themoveable jaw member; a first portion connected to the first leg end, anda second portion connected to the second leg end; and a sprung archhaving a first arch end and a second arch end, the first arch endconnected to the first portion, the second arch end connected to thesecond portion.
 2. A pinch clip garment hanger according to claim 1,wherein the fixed jaw member comprises a first surface facing themoveable jaw member, and the moveable jaw member comprises a secondsurface facing the fixed jaw member.
 3. A pinch clip garment hangeraccording to claim 2, wherein the first and second surfaces are pressedtogether by the biasing spring.
 4. A pinch clip garment hanger accordingto claim 2, wherein at least one surface of the first and secondsurfaces is a curved surface.
 5. A pinch clip garment hanger accordingto claim 4, wherein the curved surface is one of concave and convex. 6.A pinch clip garment hanger according to claim 4, wherein the oppositesurface to the curved surface has a profile that is substantially curvedto complement the profile of the curved surface.
 7. A pinch clip garmenthanger according to claim 6, wherein the profile of the opposite surfaceto the curved surface comprises a set of teeth.
 8. A pinch clip garmenthanger according to claim 2, wherein at least one surface of the firstand second surfaces comprises a friction-enhancing pad.
 9. A pinch clipgarment hanger according to claim 1, wherein the fixed and moveable jawmembers comprise: a first set of teeth, each first set tooth having atriangular profile, each first set tooth being separated from theadjacent tooth by a toothless portion, wherein the leading edges of thefirst set of teeth are collectively in tapered relation from top tobottom, wherein the first set of teeth is located on one of the fixedand moveable jaw members; and a second set of teeth having a concavecorrugated zigzag profile, wherein the second set of teeth is located onthe opposing jaw member to the jaw member having the first set of teeth,wherein the first and second set of teeth mesh such that the teeth ofthe first set integrate with the depressions between the teeth of thesecond set.
 10. A pinch clip garment hanger according to claim 1,wherein the biasing spring comprises a single metal piece.
 11. A pinchclip garment hanger according to claim 1, wherein the biasing springcomprises a single plastic piece.
 12. A pinch clip garment hangeraccording to claim 1, wherein the sprung arch has a profile that is oneof substantially V-shaped and substantially U-shaped.
 13. A pinch clipgarment hanger comprising: a cross member; a hook member connected to acenter portion of the cross member and extending upwardly therefrom; afirst pinch clip member comprising: a fixed jaw member integrally moldedto the cross member, a moveable jaw member pivotally coupled to thefixed jaw member, and a biasing spring; wherein the fixed and moveablejaw members comprise: a first set of teeth, each first set tooth havinga triangular profile, each first set tooth being separated from theadjacent tooth by a toothless portion, wherein the leading edges of thefirst set of teeth are collectively in tapered relation from top tobottom, wherein the first set of teeth is located on one of the fixedand moveable jaw members; and a second set of teeth having a concavecorrugated zigzag profile, wherein the second set of teeth is located onthe opposing jaw member to the jaw member having the first set of teeth,wherein the first and second set of teeth mesh such that the teeth ofthe first set integrate with the depressions between the teeth of thesecond set.
 14. A pinch clip garment hanger according to claim 13,wherein the first and second set of teeth are biased toward each otherby the biasing spring.
 15. A pinch clip garment hanger according toclaim 14, wherein the biasing spring comprises: a first leg end and asecond leg end, the first leg end compressibly coupled to the fixed jawmember, the second leg end compressibly coupled to the moveable jawmember; a first portion connected to the first leg end, and a secondportion connected to the second leg end; and a sprung arch having afirst arch end and a second arch end, the first arch end connected tothe first portion, the second arch end connected to the second portion.16. A pinch clip garment hanger according to claim 15, wherein thesprung arch has a profile that is one of substantially V-shaped andsubstantially U-shaped.
 17. A pinch clip garment hanger comprising: across member; a hook member connected to a center portion of the crossmember and extending upwardly therefrom; a first pinch clip membercomprising: a fixed jaw member integrally molded to the cross member,the fixed jaw member comprising a first arm; a moveable jaw memberpivotally coupled to the fixed jaw member, the moveable jaw membercomprising a second arm; and a biasing spring operable to assertcompressive forces acting upon the fixed and moveable jaw members whilesimultaneously asserting compressive forces upon a pivot point couplingthe moveable jaw member to the fixed jaw member, wherein the second armis disposed in substantially parallel or tapered relation to the firstarm.
 18. A pinch clip garment hanger according to claim 17, wherein thesecond arm is disposed in substantially parallel or tapered relation tothe first arm while carrying a garment, such that when the pinch clipgarment hanger is adjacent to another hanger, the second arm isresistant to being pushed toward the first arm to prevent inadvertentrelease of the garment.
 19. A pinch clip garment hanger according toclaim 17, wherein the fixed and moveable jaw members further comprise: afirst set of teeth, each first set tooth having a triangular profile,each first set tooth being separated from the adjacent tooth by atoothless portion, wherein the leading edges of the first set of teethare collectively in tapered relation from top to bottom, wherein thefirst set of teeth is located on one of the fixed and moveable jawmembers; and a second set of teeth having a concave corrugated zigzagprofile, wherein the second set of teeth is located on the opposing jawmember to the jaw member having the first set of teeth, wherein thefirst and second set of teeth mesh such that the teeth of the first setintegrate with the depressions between the teeth of the second set. 20.A pinch clip garment hanger according to claim 18, wherein the sprungarch has a profile that is one of substantially V-shaped andsubstantially U-shaped.